Finns try to put block on any Republic move for Hodgson

The Finnish FA yesterday vowed to do all it could to stop its coach, Roy Hodgson, succeeding Steve Staunton in charge of Republic of Ireland. The former Blackburn manager has been a great success since he took over at the start of last year and has moved into the reckoning alongside Terry Venables and Paul Jewell.

Senior Ireland players are believed to want a manager who has international experience, which goes against the former Wigan manager, and the prospect of Venables being available is receding as England now need only a draw against Croatia tomorrow night to reach the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Having taken charge of Finland at a low ebb, after a disappointing campaign for the last World Cup, Hodgson has transformed their fortunes. He has instilled discipline and a team ethic, only seven goals have been conceded in 13 Group A ties, and hopes of qualification remain alive prior to the showdown with Portugal in Porto tomorrow night. Win that and, provided Serbia do not win their final two fixtures, Finland would qualify for a major championship for the first time. They have never previously even been close.

But Portugal need only a draw to guarantee their own safe passage, which stacks the odds against the Finns and brings the end of Hodgson's tenure into sight. He is out of contract after this campaign and would prefer a new challenge to agreeing fresh terms.

Hodgson's career highlight was guiding Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96. Getting his latest side through would top that and the Finns recognise his value to them. "It's natural that Roy has been talked about for the Ireland job because he is a top coach," said Timo Walden of the Finnish FA. "We are extremely happy and satisfied with his work and we will work as hard as possible to keep him."

The Republic of Ireland want to appoint their new manager by Christmas, in good time for the fixture on February 6, a friendly against Brazil at Croke Park. While the FAI, in its efforts for transparency, insists that nobody has yet been officially approached and is still assembling its selection panel, the Venables bandwagon has begun to roll, with sections of the Irish media championing him as the obvious choice. The FAI wants experience, preferably at international level, and is open to appointing a non-Irish manager, provided that he speaks English. Venables ticks both boxes and more.

Gérard Houllier, late of Liverpool and Lyon, has also been touted, and John Giles, the former Ireland international, has informally sounded out Jewell for the FAI.